# 2FA Authenticator vs Authenticator App

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: 2FA Authenticator at none against Authenticator App's 3. 2FA Authenticator also leads on ads (none vs shown). Authenticator App's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 5 months) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.5). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Authenticator App sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. 2FA Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.

2FA Authenticator ships an update every 5 months, Authenticator App every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | 2FA Authenticator | Authenticator App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/2fa-authenticator-auth-app/id6754549066/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2** | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 4 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.5 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Hamid Sher agha](https://appshunter.io/developer/1692155889) | [Arvind Murali](https://appshunter.io/developer/1806336604) |

## What reviewers say

### 2FA Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/2fa-authenticator-auth-app/id6754549066)

This app generates time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) and manages passkeys to secure your online accounts with multi-factor authentication. It offers offline code generation, encrypted cloud backup, and biometric locks for enhanced security and convenience.

**Highlights:** Generates TOTP codes offline, Encrypted cloud backup and multi-device sync, Face ID & Touch ID lock, Easy import/export from other authenticators, Secure recovery options, Privacy-first design with minimal telemetry, QR code scanning for account setup

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Authenticator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/authenticator-app-safeauth/id6755765192)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $9.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $19.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is 2FA Authenticator free?

2FA Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Authenticator App free?

Authenticator App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do 2FA Authenticator or Authenticator App have ads?

Authenticator App shows ads; 2FA Authenticator does not.

### Which is updated more often, 2FA Authenticator or Authenticator App?

2FA Authenticator ships an update every 5 months, and Authenticator App every 5 weeks. Most recently, 2FA Authenticator was updated on September 14, 2026 and Authenticator App on September 16, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*